Unshackle Upstate and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Endorse Harry Wilson for Comptroller

BUFFALO, NY (10/21/2010)(readMedia)-- Unshackle Upstate and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership today endorsed Harry Wilson for New York State Comptroller.

"Harry Wilson's message has been one of the most refreshing we've heard from any candidate for office at any level of government in quite some time," said Andrew Rudnick, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. "Wilson not only talks clearly and comprehensively about how the office of state comptroller can help business economics in New York, but also expresses specific plans for using that office to help the state's struggling economy, especially here in upstate. Harry Wilson has earned our endorsement this November."

Rudnick was joined by Unshackle Upstate Executive Director Brian Sampson at Buffalo Niagara Partnership offices, where Wilson accepted the endorsements.

"In order to tackle New York's financial crisis, we need an experienced, strong-willed and insightful state comptroller. Unshackle Upstate believes that Harry Wilson has the skills and experience to help get our state back on track," Sampson said. "His experience with struggling companies will help him tackle our faltering government. The pension system is tanking, there are millions of dollars of wasteful spending and the current Comptroller has shown no willingness to fix the issues. We need an outsider like Harry Wilson to overhaul this office."

Buffalo Niagara Partnership is a leading member of Unshackle Upstate, along with the Rochester Business Alliance, Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce and Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. Unshackle Upstate represents more than 70,000 employers and upwards of 1.5 million workers in every region of Upstate.

In accepting the endorsements, Wilson said, "I am pleased to receive the endorsement of a pro-taxpayer group like Unshackle Upstate. New York State needs a top-to-bottom audit of every dollar spent. As comptroller, I will conduct the most comprehensive forensic audit of state spending ever seen – much like I did with General Motors - to root out waste and inefficiencies in government and recommend ways to provide services more efficiently. New York must reduce its tax burden on families and businesses to attract jobs and economic activity here again. The Office of the State Comptroller has been serially underutilized; I will make the office a thorough and proactive agent for fiscal reform in New York."

Wilson is challenging incumbent Thomas DiNapoli, who has held the office since 2007 after he was appointed by the Legislature to replace Alan Hevesi.

Today's announcement is the first statewide endorsement for Unshackle Upstate which earlier this month, endorsed twenty-four legislative candidates.

"Unshackle Upstate has been sounding the alarm on critical financial issues such as the unacceptable levels of public employee benefits and the unsustainable increases in state spending," said Sampson. "Given the magnitude of the state's fiscal problems, we felt it was critical to come out and support Harry Wilson. Unlike his opponent, who is deeply connected to Albany's status quo, Harry Wilson will be a steadfast advocate for New York's taxpayers."

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Unshackle Upstate is a bipartisan coalition representing more than 70,000 employers with upwards of 1.5 million workers in every region of upstate. To learn more about Unshackle Upstate and its Judgment Day campaign, please visit www.unshackleupstate.com